Zurich airport wants to extend runways 28 (left) and 32 (above). It will not only need the green light from cantonal but also the national authorities for the project.
Keystone/Ralph Bensberg
The operators of Switzerland’s main airport, in Zurich, have presented plans to extend two runways, re-igniting a controversy over noise pollution.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch with Keystone-SDA/ug
Zurich airportExternal link says extending two runways would increase safety and simplify landing and take-off traffic.
Airport CEO Stephan Widrig described the upgrade as a step towards stablising operations. He rejected allegations that it was meant to increase capacities.
The financial investment for the project is estimated at CHF250 million ($278 million). Construction work is not expected to be launched before 2030.
The Zurich cantonal government has approved the upgrade in principle, but the cantonal parliament is still to debate the issue and voters are also likely to have a say.
Criticism
Opponents, including the Fair in Air groupExternal link and the Green Party, have dismissed the plans as “megalomaniac” and outdated in times of climate change.
In January, the airport operators decided to postpone building a new terminal and froze investments.
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Anti-Muslim sentiment is everywhere, according to Swiss study
This content was published on
This is the conclusion of the first qualitative baseline study published on Thursday by the Swiss Center for Islam and Society.
UN and Switzerland against forced displacement of Palestinians
This content was published on
The UN and the Swiss government are opposed to any forced displacement of Palestinians, as proposed by US President Donald Trump.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Zurich airport in the red due to Covid-19
This content was published on
Switzerland’s largest international airport posted a loss in 2020, hit hard by an almost 75% historic slump in traffic due to the pandemic.
This content was published on
The Federal Aviation Office has decided to cap at current levels the number of time slots for planes at Switzerland’s main airport in Zurich.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.